Essex P.B. & R announces the introduction of the Last Chance Rescue Filter, an emergency escape device that delivers 15 minutes of breathable air, thus allowing firefighters the time to escape when specifically faced with an SCBA out-of-air or malfunction emergency. The only product of its kind on the market, the Last Chance Rescue Filter has been engineered so a firefighter can easily and quickly remove the secondary regulator from their mask and replace it with the Last Chance Rescue Filter–a process taking less than 30 seconds.
The filter works in two ways, by converting CO to CO2 and filtering out toxic gases often found in fires, such as HCN and HCI. “Although the Last Chance Rescue Filter is unique and thus there are no specific standards to be tested against, we have tested the filter against all the tests required by EN 403,” explains Keith Guller, President and CEO of Essex P.B. & R. “And I’m proud to say that the Last Chance Rescue Filter exceeds those rigorous standards.”
The filter is designed to be lightweight (less than 1 pound), compact (3.5″ x 5.0″) and enclosed in a protective Nomex pouch to attach to a firefighters harness. Still, the large diameter of the filter allows for easier breathing during use with a low breathing resistance. Additionally, even though each SCBA manufacturer has their own unique secondary regulator, Essex P.B. & R. has actually designed variations of the Last Chance Rescue Filter that are compatible with each of the top-selling SCBAs.
“We are pleased and proud to introduce this life-saving device from Essex P.B. & R., because it offers additional protection to the thousands of firefighters who put their life in harm’s way everyday to protect us, “says Dave Hurley, VP of Operations of Essex P.B. & R.
About Essex P.B. & R.
A subsidiary of Essex Industries, Essex P.B. & R. offers an assortment of protective breathing equipment for homeland defense, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders, victim rescue, emergency building evacuation, private and commercial airline pilot and crew, corporate/executive/commercial passenger, and household protection.
Essex Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries and divisions, all located in St. Louis, Missouri and surrounding areas, have been designing and developing oxygen delivery systems for the military and specialized industries since the 1950s. Essex P.B. & R. specializes in making smoke hoods. Essex Industries purchased this division from the Dupont Corporation in 1990.
